Joseph H. Hawkins

Who was Joseph H. Hawkins?

Joseph H. Hawkins was a United States Congressman from Kentucky. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky and pursued an academic course. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives from 1810 to 1813 and served two years as Speaker.

He was elected as a Republican to the Thirteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry Clay. Hawkins was not a candidate for renomination in 1814 and resumed the practice of law. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits.

He moved to New Orleans in 1819. Hawkins died in the vicinity of Madisonville, Louisiana in 1823 of Yellow Fever worsened while helping distressed sailors near the shore of the lake behind his home. His financial contributions, as well as the sacrifices of his children, aided Stephen F. Austin and others in the colonization of Texas, the Texas Revolution and later the Republic of Texas.